FAQs

We can provide heating and energy efficiency advice for minor improvement projects right up to multi million pound developments.

Most of our clients who require cost or project management support are usually carrying out larger or more complex new build, extension or refurbishment projects. This includes listed properties using specialist trades as well as modern methods of construction such as timber frame, ICF and SIPs.

Typically these will have a build value of £150,000 or more. However we are happy to help on smaller schemes – and have completed many such projects for clients who require us to provide a high level of oversight on smaller projects because they live or work overseas.

CLPM are an independent construction consultancy. We can be by your side throughout your building project. Our experience will ensure you get the quality of build you expect, delivered by the best trades-people, in the right time frame and at the best price. We’ll provide the support, solutions and technical information you need so that you can make better, informed decisions – and so get a  better build.

As your independent project consultant we can work collaboratively with your design team – giving additional energy performance and heating advice, as well as cost and practical construction input.

If you appoint us as your project manager we will always act in your best interests, and work with your design and build team to ensure your project is delivered in accordance with your wishes.

As early as possible and ideally before you put in for planning. That way we can work with you and your architect at the early building design stage. We can help you make your new home more energy efficient and select your heating solution (and design with this in mind). We can also help check your cost assumptions and build more cost effectively.

While you will need to set aside money in your overall budget for our fees, in most cases our fees are more than covered through errors we have prevented, and savings that we have made on the build.

CLPM can save you money in many ways:

• Review your designs and specifications to prevent errors and inconsistencies which may lead to issues onsite.
• Highlight cost savings in your plans
• More competitive quotes from builders and suppliers
• Appointing your build team via a robust contract will give you a proper framework for your build and minimise any unforeseen costs later on
• Monitoring and challenging the extras as the build continues
• Preventing delays and so reducing the time the build takes to complete

We only charge for the services we provide. Every project and every client is unique and we can tailor our support to your needs.

For our Quantity Surveying and Sustainability teams this typically means we prepare a quotation for the particular work you would like us to do. Our project management support is charged generally via a monthly fee. The level of monthly fee varies according to the size and complexity of your build as this will determine how much time you will need from us eg. the frequency of visits, and the amount of time we expect to spend liaising with you and your build and design team.

We can take payment via bank transfer and personal cheque. Some ‘reporting’ services require a 50% deposit for our instruction to be activated. For all other regular support services we invoice monthly in advance and our terms are 7 day payment.

We don’t provide specialist financial, planning or tax advice, but we have worked with experts in these areas over the years and so we’ll always help our clients by putting them in contact with other companies who can help you.

The quick answer is yes!

Most of our services can be provided remotely, and do not require us to visit your property. As long as you have a set of detailed architectural plans and specifications we can help take steps to make your new home more energy efficient or choose the most suitable heating arrangement. Likewise we can help with budgeting and cost engineering, and help you find and appoint your build team.

We can also be by your side once the construction works go onsite via our virtual project management service which is delivered via videocall.

Yes, we can. We have a fantastic list of reputable contractors for all kinds of work. We genuinely don’t benefit from referring trades, just take pride in matching the right people for the job.

That depends on your chosen route of tender. For a ‘traditional’ 4 contractor tender, we allow two weeks to prepare and issue the tender documentation, the contractors have four weeks to review, prepare and return their pricing and we then spend one to two weeks analysing the return. Which would total 8 weeks. However we would expect a negotiated tender with one or two contractors to be quicker.

Once our instruction process is complete, we commit to having your report back with you within 15 working days. If we cannot meet this commitment due to existing work, we will advise you of this at the time of sale.

Yes, we’d be happy to help.

As part of our heating advice service we can also prepare a Schedule of Works, and then find and brief contractors to quote for the project. Once the works go onsite we can liaise with you and your builder or heating engineer to help ensure things go smoothly.

Put simply….to save you money and time.

Successfully managing a building project comes down to two things – thorough planning before starting to build and constant monitoring during the construction works.

For your vision to come to life, there is an enormous amount to do. The more time spent on the detail, the more likely that you will get the build you want. For example, your project should have a carefully costed budget so that you know what you are spending, and a programme so that you know when each element of the work will happen.

Whatever your budget, you will be spending a great deal of money. You need to ensure that you have the right construction team at the right price. You also need to understand what you are being asked to make decisions on – as every choice costs money, you need to make sure that you are getting what you want.

By appointing CLPM we can help you build better, for less.

Our fees are based on how much or how little you want to involve us. We offer a flexible service which offers everything from ad hoc ‘as and when needed’ hourly rate support at £90.00 per hour + VAT to a ‘fully engaged’ project management role where we are visiting site three times a week. Typically we support clients by visiting weekly and you should anticipate investing between £2500.00 – £2900.00 + VAT per month.

If you’re experiencing problems with lengthy delays, errors or poor quality work, and spiralling costs we can help. If your relationship with your builder has deteriorated it can really help to get an independent expert involved.

We can review your situation and pull together a plan to get your construction project back on track.

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